We have seen that Jesus (PBUH) did not claim that he was the expected prophet. Did Muhammad (PBUH) inform us that he was that promised prophet as the previous prophets stated?

The prophecies of the coming of Muhammad, which we find in the books of the prophets, are one of many important issues emphasized by the Quran and the traditions of Muhammad. The Quran mentions that every prophet reminded his people about the coming prophet.

These prophets had vowed that when Muhammad comes, they would all believe in him. {And (remember) when Allâh took the Covenant of the Prophets, saying: "Take whatever I gave you from the Book and Hikmah (understanding of the Laws of Allâh, etc.), and afterwards there will come to you a Messenger (Muhammad) confirming what is with you; you must, then, believe in him and help him." Allâh said: "Do you agree (to it) and will you take up My Covenant (which I conclude with you)?" They said: "We agree." He said: "Then bear witness; and I am with you among the witnesses (for this)."} (Al-Emran: 81).

Ali, son of Abu Talib, (May Allah be pleased with him) said: (Allah took the Covenant of the Prophets, Adam and afterwards there will come to you a Messenger (Muhammad) must, then, believe in him and help him). 1

Among these prophets, who gave prophecies of the next prophet, was prophet Abraham (PBUH), when he said the prayer {"Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own (and indeed Allâh answered their invocation by sending Muhammad Peace be upon him ), who shall recite unto them Your Verses and instruct them in the Book (this Qur'ân) and Al-Hikmah (full knowledge of the Islamic laws and jurisprudence or wisdom or Prophet-hood, etc.), and sanctify them. Verily! You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."} (Al Baqara: 129).

Jesus (PBUH) {And (remember) when 'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), said: "O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allâh unto you, confirming the Taurât [(Torah) which came] before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me. Whose name shall be Ahmed. But when he (Ahmed i.e. Muhammad) came to them with clear proofs, they said: "This is plain magic."} (Al Saff :6).

Muhammad (PBUH) said, (God considers me the last and final prophet, since Adam is twisted in his clay, and I will inform you of my beginning. I am the answer of Abraham's prayer, and the prophecy of Jesus, and the dream that my mother saw when she delivered me, as a very bright light came out of her, where the palaces of Syria shined). 2

Naturally, the prophets’ great attention to the "final prophet” should make them talk about him in their writings, his description and conditions.

The Holy Quran confirmed that, these prophecies exist in the books of the Christians and Jews. {Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write (i. e.

Muhammad) whom they find written with them in the Taurât (Torah) (Deut, xviii, 15) and the Injeel (Gospel)

(John xiv, 16) , - he commands them for Al-Ma'rûf (i.e.

Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm has ordained); and forbids them from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism of all kinds, and all that Islâm has forbidden); he allows them as lawful At-Taiyibât [(i.e. all good and lawful) as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods, etc.], and prohibits them as unlawful Al-Khabâ'ith (i.e. all evil and unlawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods, etc.), he releases them from their heavy burdens (of Allâh's Covenant), and from the fetters (bindings) that were upon them. So those who believe in him (Muhammad), honour him, help him, and follow the light (the Qur'ân) which has been sent down with him, it is they who will be successful.} (Al-Aaraf: 157).

Allah, informing us about the existence of these prophecies about prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his nation and his companions in the Torah and the bible, said: {Muhammad is the Messenger of Allâh, and those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and falling down prostrate (in prayer), seeking Bounty from Allâh and (His) Good Pleasure. The mark of them (i.e. of their Faith) is on their faces (foreheads) from the traces of (their) prostration (during prayers). This is their description in the Taurât (Torah). But their description in the Injeel (Gospel) is like a (sown) seed which sends forth its shoot, then makes it strong, it then becomes thick, and it stands straight on its stem, delighting the sowers that He may enrage the disbelievers with them.

Allâh has promised those among them who believe (i.e. all those who follow Islamic Monotheism, the religion of Prophet Muhammad till the Day of Resurrection) and do righteous good deeds, forgiveness and a mighty reward (i.e.

Paradise). } (Al-Fath: 29).

The Noble Quran did not tell in detail about the description of Muhammad (PBUH) and his conditions mentioned in the books of the Jews and Christians. However, it informs us about one important fact, that the Jews and the Christians know this messenger of God as they know their own children. He was mentioned many times by their prophets and through their books. {Those to whom We have given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) recognize him (i.e. Muhammad as a Messenger of Allâh, and they also know that there is no Ilah (God) but Allâh and Islâm is Allâh's Religion), as they recognize their own sons. Those who destroy themselves will not believe. (Tafsir At-Tabarî)} (Al-Anaam: 20)

With no doubt, this knowledge comes from the number of or the clarity of the prophecies mentioned in their books about him (PBUH).

We will try to touch some of these prophecies in the following pages, hoping that we can succeed in clarifying the alterations that come in these books, avoiding many of the misunderstandings that happen to Christians trying to understand these prophecies.

Abraham (PBUH) left of the land of Iraq heading to the blessed land, the land of Palestine. The Torah mentioned that he was seventy-five years old, and he had no children. He left after God had given him good news and said: "And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing…..and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis: 12/2-3).

In the land of Palestine, Hagar (Sarah's servant) became pregnant with her son Ishmael (PBUH). The Torah mentions Sarah's jealousy of Hagar for having a child, while Sarah was deprived of children and offspring until that time.

At that time, Sarah humiliated Hagar, and Hagar had to escape from her mistress "And the angel of the LORD said to her, “Behold, you are pregnant and shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the LORD has listened to your affliction. He shall be a wild donkey of a man, his hand against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he shall dwell over against all his kinsmen." (Genesis: 16/11-12), the angel gave her good news of a great son who will dominate over everyone, but sometimes it will be the opposite of that, and he will be dominated by everyone.

Hagar gave birth to her son Ishmael (PBUH), he was the eldest of Abraham's children "Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram." (Genesis: 16/16).

When Abraham (PBUH) turned ninety-nine, as the Torah tells us, God renewed his blessing on him ".I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. That I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly… for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. And I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant" (Genesis: 17/1-8).

When God tested Abraham (PBUH) by commanding him to sacrifice his only son at that time - Ishmael (PBUH)-, they both accepted and obeyed the order of God. "and the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven And said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son:" (Genesis:

22/1-17).

Abraham (PBUH) asked God to make his son Ishmael righteous:

"And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live before you!" (Genesis: 17/18)

God accepted his prayer, and told him that Ishmael would be blessed and so will another son God will give him. God had given him the good news of the birth of Isaac from his wife Sarah when God said: “I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her. …….and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. As for Ishmael, I have heard you; Behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation. " (Genesis: 17/16-20)